MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
May 5, 2025
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting toorder at 6:31 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 14717 Burin Avenue, Lawndale, California.
CouncilmembersPresent: Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor ProTem Pat Kearney, CouncilmemberBernadette Suarez, Councilmember Sirley Cuevas, Councilmember Francisco M.Talavera OtherParticipants: CityManager Dr. SeanM.Moore, CityAttorney Gregory M.Murphy, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Assistant CityClerk Yvette Palomo, Deputy City Manager/Directorof Human Resources Raylette Felton, LosAngeles County Sheriff'sDepartmentCaptainNicolePalomino,Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Services Director JasonMinter, Public Works Director Luis (Lucho) Rodriguez, Community Development Director Peter Kann.
B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Mayor Pro Tem Kearney led the flag salute. Pastor Dwight Dudley of Calvary Chapel South Bay provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
1. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
Captain Palomino summarized the recent law enforcement activities and invited the community to the Neighborhood Watch meeting scheduled for May 21, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center.
In response to Councilmember Cuevas' question, Captain Palomino stated that the cite and release law is not in effect.
2. Los Angeles County Fire Department Update-
Acting Assistant Fire Chief Brian Kane was not present.
D. PRESENTATIONS
3. 56th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation - May 4-10, 2025 - Presentation of City of Lawndale Proclamation Certificate for Professional Municipal Clerks Week, May 4-10, 2025, to the City of Lawndale City Clerk Department.
Mayor Pullen-Miles and the City Council presented the City of Lawndale Proclamation Certificate for Professional Municipal Clerks Week to the City of Lawndale City Clerk Department.
4. Retirement Recognition of Riad (Roy) Itani, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer, County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
— Recognizing the Retirement of Riad (Roy) Itani, P.E., County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works in support of the City's Building and Safety Division.
Mayor Pullen-Miles and the City Council presented a plaque to Riad (Roy) Itani, P.E., County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, for his support of the City's Building and Safety Division.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Andrew Blackney, Representative of South Bay Bicycle Coalition Plus, commented on the Redondo Beach Boulevard Active Transportation Corridor Metro Project handout that he provided.
Juan, Resident, commented on the closing of 149 Street, the traffic light on 147 Street and asked when speed bumps would be discussed again.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, commented that there should be consistency between cities for the Redondo Beach Boulevard Active Transportation Corridor Metro Project, and would like a better system for following up on items that are brought up by residents and Councilmembers.
Public Works Director Rodriguez provided an update on the traffic calming efforts on the East and West side of 147th Street, between Inglewood Avenue and Grevillea Avenue.
Councilmember Suarez thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, and requested an update on the Redondo Beach Boulevard Active Transportation Corridor project.
Councilmember Cuevas thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Kearney thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, Resident Blackney for the letter from the South Bay Bicycle Coalition Plus and South Bay Forward, and asked staff to follow up on the comment about the traffic light on 147 Street.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
Item was motioned - by Sirley Cuevas seconded by Bernadette Suarez with a result of 5-0-0-0- 0{{motioner}} {{motion Type}}
5. Motion to read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the Agenda - Recommendation: that the City Council read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the agenda.
6. Accounts Payable Register
- Recommendation: that the City Council adopts Resolution No. CC-2505-020 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $979,950.74.
7. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2025 - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
8. Approve Agreement to Upgrade City's Cable Television Video Editing Networked Storage Server — Recommendation: that City Council approve the sole source purchase agreement with International Electronic Enterprises, Inc. (IEEI) in a form approved by the City Attorney for the purchase and install Apace Systems E-Stor media and video storage system in the amount not to exceed of $36,688, with annual service agreement.
H. PUBLIC HEARING
9. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 1211-25 amending the City's Zoning Map of properties to establish the Housing Opportunity Overlay Zones within areas of the City and Hawthorne Boulevard Specific Plan; Amendments to Title 17 of the Lawndale Municipal Code to establish Chapter 17.54 Housing Opportunity Overlay Zones; and a determination of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines - Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Conduct a public hearing, discuss this item and receive public comment, if any, on the matter; 2.) Determine that Ordinance No. 1211-25 is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines; and 3.) Read by Title only, waived further reading, and approve Ordinance No. 1211-25, amending the zoning maps for areas within the City and HBSP and amending Title 17 of the Lawndale Municipal Code (LMC) to establish 17.54 Housing Opportunity Overlay Zones.
Community Development Director Kann presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m.
There was no one from the public wishing to speak.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed the public hearing at 7:01 pm.
City Attorney Murphy read the ordinance by title only and waived further reading.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to conduct a public hearing, discuss this item and receive public comment, if any, on the matter, determine that Ordinance No. 1211-25 is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines, and read by title only, waive further reading, and approve Ordinance No. 1211-25, amending the zoning maps for areas within the City and HBSP and amending Tifle 17 of the Lawndale Municipal Code (LMC) to establish 17.54 Housing Opportunity Overlay Zones. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0
I. ADMINISTRATION
10. First Amendment to Michael Baker International, Inc. CDBG Consulting Services Agreement (FY 2024-2025).
- Recommendation: that the City Council approve the first amendment to increase the funding to the professional services agreement with Michael Baker, International, Inc. for CDBG Administration and Labor Compliance Services.
Community Development Director Kann presented the staff report.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Kearney's question, Community Development Director Kann stated that the amendment is to increase the funding to cover past expenditures.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to approve the first amendment to increase the funding to the professional services agreement with Michael Baker, International, Inc. for CDBG Administration and Labor Compliance Services. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
J. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Dr. Moore commented that he had nothing to report.
K. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
11. Update on Lawndale Municipal Code Title 12, Chapter 12.64 Regarding E-Bikes Usage and Enforcement
- Recommendation: that the City Council choose one of the following: Option 1. Direct Staff to amend the Lawndale Municipal Code to include additional restrictions and safety measures for E-bike usage; or Option 2: Direct Staff to leave the Lawndale Municipal Code as it currently stands regarding existing restrictions and safety measures for E-bike usage; or Option 3: Give Staff directives on non- Code changes to implement on E-bike usage.
Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.
Councilmember Cuevas asked if an educational program can be implemented for school age kids and would like the City to be proactive when addressing this matter.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) has jurisdiction over e-bike usage in the City and an educational program can be looked into.
Councilmember Suarez commented that the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) has partnered with schools to implement an educational program.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers about requiring e-bikes to be registered, where would they be registered at and enforcement.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened public comments.
Andrew Blackney, Resident, provided the history on the former requirement of bicycles to be registered and commented on the educational courses other cities offer students.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed public comments.
Councilmember Cuevas asked if the City can work with LASD to find solutions.
By consensus, the City Council requested that staff research an educational program in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and report back at a future meeting.
12. Diseussion on Establishing an Annual Festival for Recognizing Hispanic-American Contributions to the Community and the Creation of an Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Discuss establishing a new annual festival; 2.) Discuss establishing an Ad Hoc Subcommittee; and/or 3.) Provide further direction to staff.
City Manager Dr. Moore presented the staff report.
Councilmember Talavera commented that he recommends establishing a festival recognizing Hispanic- American contributions so that public participation can increase due to the increase in Hispanic demographics in the City and commented in favor of recognizing all demographics separately.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened public comments.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented in support of having one festival recognizing all cultures, on how other cities recognize culture, and provided a list of other multicultural events.
Juan, Resident, commented in support of establishing a festival recognizing Hispanic-American contributions.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed public comments.
Councilmember Cuevas commented in support of establishing a multicultural festival.
Mayor Pro Tem Kearney volunteered to be a part of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
Councilmember Suarez commented in support of establishing a festival recognizing Hispanic-American contributions, having several events recognizing different cultures, fundraising and collaborating with partners to help with the cost.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commented in support of establishing a multicultural festival.
Councilmember Talavera commented on the Pacific Islander festival hosted at Alondra Park each year, having separate multicultural festivals from his suggested event, and collaborating with partners to help with the cost.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers on hosting a Hispanic-American contributions festival, possible requests from residents for the City to host additional cultural events, festival options, and legal ramifications if the City is not able to accommodate all cultures.
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to research festival options, legal obligations to accommodate other cultures and bring the item back.
13. Discussion on Council Policy No. 26-95 Recognition Requests — Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Discuss Council Policy No. 26-95 Recognition Requests; and/or 2.) Provide further direction to staff City Manager Dr. Moore presented the staff report.
Councilmember Talavera commented on his reason for requesting a discussion on Council Policy No. 26-95 Recognition Requests, his experience in requesting recognition from other cities and that he would like to recognize community members that have contributed to the community.
Councilmember Cuevas commented in favor of revising the Recognition Requests Council Policy to allow recognition of community members and having the whole City Council sign the certificates.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers about the Mayor and Councilmembers signing all certificates, regardless of who the requestor is, revising the Recognition Requests Council Policy to allow recognitions of additional community members, staff researching how neighboring cities address recognitions and bringing the item back.
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to research how neighboring cities address recognitions and bring the item back with recommendations.
14. Report of Attendance at Meetings
Councilmember Talavera wished everyone a Happy Cinco de Mayo, thanked City Manager Dr. Moore and Community Services Director Minter for keeping the community safe by cancelling the Youth Day Parade due to inclement weather, attended a Senior Lunch, 99* birthday Celebration event for Reverend George Covarrubios, and Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) meeting.
Councilmember Suarez attended a SBCCOG Board of Directors meeting and requested that the City's food truck policy be reviewed as well as what other cities do.
Councilmember Cuevas thanked the resident that placed a trash can on 147 Street and Firmona Avenue for the community to use, and announced a vacancy on the Parks, Recreation and Social Services Commission.
Mayor Pro Tem Kearney attended a Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting, Cooperative Senior Housing Volunteers Awards Luncheon, Water Replenishment District 15th Annual Groundwater Festival and wished all mothers a Happy Mother's Day.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Los Angeles County City Selection Committee meeting, and a Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts meeting.
L. CLOSED SESSION
15. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation -The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d) (1), to discuss existing litigation: Name of Case: City of Lawndale v. LA Investment, LLC (LA Superior Court Case No. 20TRCV00065).
CityAttorney Murphy read theaforementionedClosed Session matter bytitleonly.
The City Council convened into closed session at 8:01 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 8:24 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy announced that there was no reportable action for Closed Session Item No.
L.15 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation and commented that the item will be on the agenda again in two weeks.
M. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m. in memory of Ruthi Davis, a resident of 27 years who served on the Girls Scouts for over 52 years, owned ABC Concrete Plumbing with her husband, served on the South Bay Workforce Investment Board on behalf of the City, served on the City's Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, operated the Lawndale Farmers Market for many years while serving on the Lawndale Chamber of Commerce and was the beloved mother of Diane Davis.
Robert Pullen-Miles
Mayor
Erica Harbison
City Clerk
Approved: May 19, 2025